The Karnataka government will add more taluks to its drought-affected list in phases after assessing scientific and technical reports, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Monday. The announcement was made in response to questions from the media at the Devanahalli industrial area.
Shivakumar said taluks experiencing severe drought would be considered for inclusion and that the process would begin shortly. He said reports on drought conditions were being received from several taluks and that many more areas could be declared drought-affected.
“Any legislators need not be anxious. Steps will be taken to include constituencies where the drought is severe,” Shivakumar said, according to a report by Prajavani. He added that the government would not make the decision at one time, but would proceed in two or three phases after reviewing the available evidence.
The deputy chief minister said areas that had received no rain for 21 days would be identified for assessment. A technical report would then be used to determine whether the concerned area should be included in the drought list. He said the government had discussed the issue and that reports were being collected under the supervision of the deputy chief minister’s office.
“We have to scientifically determine where there is drought,” Shivakumar said. “It is not possible to do everything at once. The process is taking place in phases.”
The announcement comes as the state government prepares to address farmers’ concerns through a special session of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. Shivakumar said the session had been convened against the backdrop of severe drought conditions in the state and would focus on the problems faced by farmers.
He said the government would scientifically examine the actual conditions in drought-affected areas and take steps to provide necessary assistance to farmers. The report did not specify the date of the special session, the number of taluks expected to be added or the nature and value of assistance that would be provided.
Shivakumar also responded to questions about the NICE project and allegations that the state cabinet had violated the law while taking a decision on the project. He said the government would act within the legal framework and obtain legal opinion where necessary.
“We will do everything within the legal framework. We will obtain legal opinion. We are reconsidering everything. We will not do anything outside the law,” he said, adding that legal remedies were available if there had been a violation.
On farmers who had lost property in connection with agreements signed by previous governments, Shivakumar said protecting them was the responsibility of the government. He said the state would review the matter while maintaining that earlier governments had signed the agreements.
The next steps are the completion of technical assessments, phased decisions on additional drought declarations and discussion of farmers’ problems in the special legislative session.
